Green Salad with Strawberries & Goat Cheese

Recipe By:Hilary Meyer
“This lively salad captures the essence of early summer with ripe strawberries, chives and baby spinach. To make it a meal, top it with grilled chicken breast.”

Ingredients

1 tablespoon pure maple syrup , or brown sugar

2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

¼ teaspoon salt

Freshly ground pepper , to taste

3 cups baby spinach

3 cups watercress, tough stems removed

2½ cups sliced fresh strawberries , (about 12 ounces)

⅓ cup fresh chives, cut into 2-inch pieces

½ cup toasted chopped pecans , (see Tip)

¼ cup crumbled goat cheese

Directions

1Whisk maple syrup (or brown sugar), vinegar, oil, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add spinach, watercress, strawberries and chives; toss to coat. Divide the salad among 4 plates and top with pecans and goat cheese.

Tip: To toast chopped or sliced nuts, stir constantly in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.